Nigeria Is Not a Dead Country: Our Politics Is Rotten, But Our Potential Is Limitless.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Nigeria is not a dead country. That truth must ring louder than the lies sold by cynical politicians and echoed by frustrated citizens. Nigeria is not a failed state; it is a hijacked one. It has been captured by a parasitic political class from top to bottom, soaked in corruption, nepotism, mediocrity and selfishness. Let us be clear: Nigeria still breathes. It still beats with the rhythm of resilience, talent and untapped greatness. As the legendary Fela Kuti said, “My people are scared of the air around them, they always have an excuse not to fight for freedom.” Even in our disillusionment, hope still shines.

It is not that we don’t have problems. We have plenty. Nigeria is plagued by chronic insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, epileptic power supply, tribal divisions and a broken educational system. Our leaders, past and present, have largely failed us. They loot without shame and govern without vision. Whether in Aso Rock or in the state houses, most of them treat public office like a buffet table; eat as much as you can while it lasts. But despite all this, we must not write off our nation. Our problem is leadership, not a lack of national potential.

“Talent No Be By Region, E Dey Inside Person”
There has been renewed talk about restructuring and regional government. Fine. But we must not fall into the trap of thinking structure alone will save us. Leadership is not about location; it’s about capacity, vision and moral integrity. As AY the comedian once joked, “If dem give some people heaven, dem go still sell the golden gates!” The truth is, if you give a dullard a well-structured system, he will still crash it. A leader without direction is like a plane with no pilot; you’re headed for disaster no matter how fine the aircraft is.

We need to stop romanticizing systems without addressing the characters we put into those systems. Regional government without competent leaders is like pouring water into a basket. From federal to local level, bad leadership has been the virus spreading across our land. From fake credentials to forged NYSC certificates, padded budgets to phantom projects, corruption has been the thread that ties many of our so-called leaders together.

It would be dishonest to say all is lost. We still have exceptional Nigerians doing amazing things at home and abroad. In tech, entertainment, sports, science and medicine, Nigerians are winning. From Burna Boy selling out stadiums globally, to Tobi Amusan breaking records in athletics, to Nigerian tech startups attracting global investments (this country is pregnant with brilliance. It’s not the people who have failed Nigeria) it is the political system and those who manipulate it for selfish ends (stomach infrastructure).

A Country of Dreams Trapped in a Nightmare of Governance
Nigeria is the only country where talented youths are told to pray more than they plan. The same pastors cum politicians who don’t provide jobs ask you to “sow seed” for breakthrough. The same people who steal your future tell you to “believe in God’s time.” As Falz rapped in his protest anthem “This is Nigeria,”
“There’s plenty Wahala sha, but we dey manage am, corruption and greed still dey carry am.”

Why must the average Nigerian suffer because a few people at the top lack EMPATHY, CONSCIENCE and COMPETENCE? Why should a country blessed with oil, gas, cocoa, bitumen, gold, arable land and etc still depend on importation of fuel and food? Why should we be in 2025 still talking about ELECTRICITY like it’s a LUXURY? Even Somalia is stabilizing its grid. Yet Nigeria, the so-called “Giant of Africa,” remains a DWARF in DEVELOPMENT.

Youths Are Not Lazy; They Are Angry
The average Nigerian youth is not lazy. The average Nigerian youth is angry. Angry that our universities are shut down for months due to strikes, while politicians send their children abroad. Angry that N-Power and other schemes are just political Ponzi programs. Angry that we get blamed for not being patriotic while those in power loot the nation dry and fly out for medical treatment.

The truth is, we cannot build a new Nigeria with the same old mindset. As comedian Bovi once said, “Nigeria is the only country where the poor fight themselves while protecting the rich who are oppressing them.” And he is right. We need to stop idolizing thieves in agbada and begin holding them accountable; whether they are in PDP, APC, LP or any other POLITICAL GANG masquerading as a PARTY.

We must change the culture that celebrates criminals and shames the honest. We need new leaders not recycled bandits in suits. And above all, we must believe in Nigeria; not the government, not the politicians, but in the country itself and what it can be with the right people at the helm.

Our Strength Is in Our People
From ABA to ZARIA, from LAGOS to ENUGU, Nigerians are hardworking. Our ENTREPRENEURS don’t wait for government handouts. Our ARTISTS, TECH FOUNDERS, FARMERS and MARKET WOMEN/ MEN show resilience every day. Despite having little support, they keep going. That’s why we must not let the political rot define us. We are more than our politicians. We are not a people of failure, but are a PEOPLE SURVIVING and THRIVING in spite of failure.

In the words of Burna Boy: “My country people suffer, suffer… dem dey pray for blessing, but them no dey plan.” It’s time we stop PRAYING alone and start PLANNING, ORGANIZING, VOTING WISELY and DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY.

We must return to the idea that patriotism includes demanding better, not blind loyalty to leaders who treat governance like a family business. We must understand that Nigeria’s salvation lies not in any messiah, tribe or religion; but in an informed, united and determined citizenry.

No Region Is Better; No Tribe Holds the Key
Whether Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Tiv, Urhobo or Idoma, no group has a monopoly on intelligence or stupidity. The notion that leadership will improve if a certain region rules is pure FALSE. We have had presidents from the North. West and the South, Christians and Muslims, military and civilian; and yet Nigeria remains on the SAME SPOT, sometimes worse.

The problem is not where our leaders come from, but what they bring with them. If they come with empty heads and corrupt hearts, the result will be more pain. This is not rocket science. Nations don’t develop by magic; they develop by vision, discipline and courageous leadership.

We Must Reclaim Our Narrative
Let’s stop saying Nigeria is DEAD. Let’s stop the DOOMSDAY TALK. That’s the narrative they want to sell so we give up and let them continue to ruin us. Nigeria is alive, but in a coma of BAD LEADERSHIP. We must be the OXYGEN. We must be the VOICE that wakes her up. As Mr Macaroni says in his skits, “You are doing well… NOT!” that sarcasm is the daily reality of Nigeria. We are not doing well and pretending we are won’t fix anything. Neither will despair.

It’s time to RISE, to THINK, to SPEAK and to ACT. Nigeria is our country (not their estate. We don’t need saints in office) we need sensible people. Not angels (just accountable humans. Not perfect systems) just functional ones with transparency and fairness.

Final Word
Nigeria is not dead, but she’s being strangled slowly by those who were meant to protect her. We cannot continue to watch in silence. We must SPEAK, ACT and DEMAND BETTER, if we don’t, we are ACCOMPLICES to our own DOWNFALL.

Leadership is not about tribe, religion, political party or region; it is about VISION, DISCIPLINE and ACTION. And if the person no get am, no be regional government go give am. If e no dey, e no dey!

Let’s build a Nigeria that reflects the strength of her PEOPLE and not the greed of her politicians.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com